Sailing Wind Therapyvideo
LEAVING the Caribbean to NYC Aboard our Leopard 45 Sailing Catamaran. E106
July 28, 2024 · 18 min · 3K views · Spanish Wells, Eleuthera
What this video covers
A Leopard 45 sailing catamaran, Wind Therapy, transits from the Bahamas to New York City with a crew of four. During the passage, the autopilot chain repeatedly jumped gears while surfing down waves; the crew diagnosed the issue using a GoPro and resolved it by dropping the autopilot drive unit half an inch to increase chain tension.3:47 The crew flew a parasailer overnight in 10 to 15 knots of wind to maintain speed.2:41 While rounding Cape Hatteras, they encountered 30 knots of sustained wind, forcing them to furl the jib and rely on the Gulf Stream to maintain an 11-knot speed over ground.6:36 Due to unfavorable weather forecasts for the final leg, the crew diverted to Hampton, Virginia, to wait for a window.7:22 The final approach into the Chesapeake Bay involved navigating through dense fog and heavy commercial traffic, including a 620-foot freighter.10:38 Proper chain tension on the autopilot drive is essential for maintaining steering control in following seas.
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